Revision of fleas of the genus P locopsylla belonging to the ‘ angusticeps–lewisi ’ complex in the A ndean biogeographic region, with the description of a new species

In A rgentina, the A ndean biogeographic region accommodates the most diverse population of fleas in the country. The C raneopsyllinae (Siphonaptera: Stephanocircidae) represent one of the most commonly found subfamilies in this region and show some endemism and high diversity. Plocopsylla is the most diverse genus of C raneopsyllinae; it includes 10 species mainly distributed in the P atagonian subregion, which parasitize sigmodontine rodents ( R odentia: C ricetidae). We describe and illustrate the morphology of the aedeagus in species of P locopsylla that belong to the ‘ angusticeps–lewisi ’ complex. This character is of diagnostic value in differentiating among species. A new species of this complex, P locopsylla ( P locopsylla) linardii sp. n., is described and identified by the shape and chaetotaxy of the distal arm of sternite IX , as well as by the shape of the median dorsal lobe of the aedeagus. New host associations for this complex and range extensions for most of its species are reported. Plocopsylla ( P .) silewi is recorded for the first time in A rgentina. The southern limits of the distributions of Plocopsylla ( P .) lewisi and Plocopsylla ( P .) wilesi are extended to S anta C ruz P rovince. The angusticeps–lewisi complex is found for the first time in S an J uan P rovince. The information may be useful in epidemiological studies of flea‐borne diseases.